The Pooh maps are a big hit in our local shop

The Pooh maps are now displayed in the shop. These maps were drawn following study of local habitat and species by pupils from Freshford School. There are a wonderful variety of fun names and drawings that Pooh himself would be very proud of! Christine the Galleries manager points out her shop on one of the maps.

Draw a water vole competition winner and commended

Freshford C of E Primary School map out a habitats and species walk

Freshford Cof E Primary School are working on a combined mission with us at FLEWG to help our community engage with our local biodiversity. ( This will involve the preparation of a Pooh style colour map. See original map from book and copyright to Methuen Childrens books below ) . This map will help people explore and understand our important habitats and learn about place names. It will help them have fun along the way.

Tree age measurement in hugs, and spotting fish from the bridge

Reading the wildlife fact cards found along the route

Spotting species

Exploring the grassland habitat alongside the woodland and waterway habitats

Hedgeucation

Scientific survey of stick stream speed at the Pooh Sticks Bridge

The original Pooh map!

The map route and some of the key habitats are described on the diagram below.

Alan Dodge's Field Name Map ( part of his map )

Alan is a local resident who has done much research into the history of the village and has written a book entitled Freshford – History of a Somerset Village ( Alan Dodge, 2000 ). It is currently being prepared for a reprint in 2013. The above map is part of one prepared by Alan for the book and notes field names. It is reproduced here with his kind permission.

A series of walking guide leaflets give information on local history are sold in the Galleries village shop. These were also developed by Alan Dodge.

Candy's Notes Candy is a member of the environment group and grew up in Freshford

As you cross Ham field just as you pass the brick built WWII lookout pill box you may be able to pick out the tell tale signs of the vanished field boundary that used to run from the pill box to the wood opposite. The boundary was made up of mature ash trees that were killed by Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s.

Otters have recently been spotted on the banks of the River Frome in Ham field

In the 50's and 60's Ham field used to double as the village cricket ground and the cricket hut with score board etc used to sit high up on the grassy slope that is directly opposite the pill box.

The bridge at Peradin's/ The Mill is known locally as the Pooh sticks bridge

Looking from the Pooh sticks bridge towards the Mill you can see the Tudor stone mullioned windows that are all that remain of the large Manor house that belonged to John Ashe in the 1620's.

If you walk 20 yards beyond the bridge and look across at the Mill buildings you can see the Mill race and the specially refurbished Bat house that stands on the structure that spans the river.

I have not been able to spot any Indian Balsam (an invasive species) but as it flowers July to Oct it is really too early yet. It loves to colonise the river banks and is usually spotted upstream of the Pooh sticks bridge.

I hope all of this is helpful and enjoy your walk, your picnic will be in Nurlton field by the way